A Sri Lankan soldier stands guard in Mullaittivu, the former military headquarters of the Tamil Tiger rebels, on January 27. Red Cross officials were negotiating Saturday to evacuate more wounded from the conflict zone in Sri Lanka's embattled north as the island's military kept up its push to crush Tamil separatist rebels. (AFP/File/Ishara S. Kodikara)Sri Lanka Deadline For Civilian Safe Passage Ends -- The AP
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — A Sri Lankan government deadline for Tamil Tiger rebels to let civilians leave the northern conflict zone ended Saturday with only about a hundred reaching safe areas.
According to the Red Cross, some 250,000 civilians are trapped in the 115-square mile (300-square kilometer) area where the rebels have been boxed in by advancing troops. The government puts the number at about 120,000.
The Defense Ministry said in a statement that more than 100 civilians including 16 children fled the war zone and "sought protection with security forces" on Saturday.
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My Comment: Expect a major offensive from the Sri Lankan Army in the next few days. With over 250,000 civilians being kept bottled up in a small area of land .... no food .... no water .... this will be the bloodiest battle for 2009 in Sri Lanka .... if not the world.